MovinMarch returns for 15th year
Programme aims to get kids walking to school in 2024
Registrations are now open for Movin’March — an annual initiative encouraging students to walk or bike to and from school. Next year will see the 15th edition of Movin’March, which is run by Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Schools will have until March to register, but spot prizes will be awarded to early-birds who sign up before December 8.
Each year, thousands of students in Years 0-8 take up the challenge, and this year, a record-breaking 140 schools took part in Movin’March.
Greater Wellington Travel Choice adviser Maddy McVie hopes the next Movin’March will continue the “movin’ momentum”.
“For 14 years, students’ footsteps and tyre tracks have made a positive impact on their region, and there’s no slowing down.”
She said Movin’March is designed to get students excited about active travel through fun challenges and classroom activities that help children understand why walking, wheeling or riding the bus to school is good for their wellbeing, as well as the planet’s.
“Every week, the Movin’March resources will highlight five key benefits of active travel, like making connections, building confidence and it being an adventure.”
Registered schools will receive their resources and “Walk or Wheel” packs at the beginning of Term 1, which include eco-friendly
incentives like beeswax wraps.
During March, students will carry “passports” that will be stamped each time they walk, wheel or bus to or from school.
Said passports will then be entered into a prize draw spanning across Greater Wellington at the end of the month, giving students an opportunity to win one of six $400 MyRide vouchers.
Students can also use the Waka
Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency’s Te Haerenga o Ngā Tamariki tool to anonymously track their travel on a classroom device.
The tool then presents their classroom’s data in a way that sparks kō rero around travel choices, health and sustainability.
Regional councillor Yadana Saw said Movin’March is a great way to recognise the benefits of walking and wheeling to school.
“With Movin’March, tamariki are encouraged to travel to school in a way many of us remember — with their favourite set of wheels, hopping on the bus, or walking with friends and whānau.
“It’s a super-fun way to get to know your own neighbourhood. It also helps students understand the effect their travel choices have on the world around them. Consciously choosing active travel is a habit that’ll stick for years to come.”
Schools can find out more and register for Movin’March at schooltravel.gw.govt.nz/ walk-or-wheel-programmes/ movinmarch/. Learn more about Waka Kotahi’s tool Te Haerenga o Ngā Tamariki at https://tamariki.nzta.govt.nz/ how-it-works/.